Interview with Danny Johananoff — Contemporary Art Curator Magazine

Danny Johananoff resides in New York.

Having spent over 50 years in photography, he started to exhibit his work only by 2018.

He held exhibitions in NY, Miami, Rome and Milan with further exhibitions scheduled in London and Barcelona.

As a photographer, Danny believes art is always there, and that all he needs to do is to capture it through the lens. Johananoff refers to his work as “painting” with the camera. His images are often blurred and dreamy, depicting the culture and the pure beauty found in nature. He begins each photo expedition with no expectations or notions on what he may find and shoot. Thus, opening himself up to receive any scenery that transmits emotions to him. It is this feeling and point of view he wishes to bring to the viewer.
Raised in a family with a passion for music and photography, Danny’s love for harmony in sound and color has lasted a lifetime. His passion has deepened by his extreme travels, juxtaposing landscapes and circumstances, with each experience transforming his view of the world abstractly. He believes it is this developed lens that allows beauty to be seen even in the war-torn Middle East or a remote area of the world almost untouched by the hands of modernity.

Could you please introduce yourself and tell us how you started in the arts? and your first experience in art-making?

My name is Danny Johananoff. I reside in NY.

Blessed by a father who loved photography, we both spent ages in the darkroom experimenting and creating images, black & white, color.

I was 11 years old then and I am carrying a camera with me ever since.

I spent 40 years in a business career and now, retired, back to my passion: photography and music. I decided to share my work through exhibitions and social media.

How would you describe yourself and your artwork?

The constant search for harmony, in music and images, is the key that helps me spot those fascinating moment and frames. A major part of my photographs is blurred, leaving space for interpretation and viewers imagination.

I move from very sharp and clear portraits and macro photography into hardly identified faces and figures.

In much of my photography, I don’t actually freeze the moment but rather let it move for a while and capture the beauty of dynamics.

All my photography is done on original location as opposed to studio work. Being there, where things are happening, is a thrill by itself. I love painting with the camera, using slow speed shutter.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I am actually inspired by what I see and experience. When I see an interesting face for a portrait, I am attracted to capture it. When I see beautiful movement and colors, I capture it my way, keeping the movement in the one frame and letting the colors brush along.

What emotions do you hope the viewers experience when looking at your art?

This is very individual. My images can bring up different emotions in different people. I would like the viewer to interpret the image and connect to that. In portraits, it is the compassion to the photographed subject.

When do you know that an artwork is finished?

I feel it in my guts. It is like passing a missing puzzle piece over the image until it fits perfectly in place.

What has been the most exciting moment in your art career so far?

Out of the many exciting moments such as getting to know the insect world from close when doing Macro photography and exploring west India, Cuba and many other locations, my visit to Kyrgyzstan in central Asia was the most fascinating. Different, and fulfilling photography-wise.

How long does it take to produce one work?

If you count the traveling hours to the location it is a long process. Once I have the images, it doesn't take me long to make sure they are optimized for print.

All my files are sent to Germany to be printed.

What exciting projects are you working on right now? Can you share some of the future plans for your artwork?

Recently I returned from my expedition to Oaxaca in Mexico which was around the Dia de Muertos (the day of the dead). I wanted to experience the very different approach to the dead Mexicans have as opposed to the western world. I am now sorting and working on these images.

I am planning to visit Japan and Turkey for my next expeditions, while in between, I open myself to whatever draws me in.